Blow torch used for intended burglary started fires

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A blow torch used by someone intending to break in to a couple of Yakima businesses is blamed for starting fires at each location.

Yakima fire investigators say the findings fall short of calling it arson, but still say a crime was committed. They handed the case over to Yakima police. YPD's property crimes unit is now in charge of the investigation. The fire department doesn't consider it arson because the evidence suggests the fires weren't intentionally set.

The fires started less than ten minutes apart early Tuesday morning and less than a mile from each other. Audio King, a car stereo business on Nob Hill Boulevard was destroyed after sustaining $300,000 in damage. The other fire destroyed a storage unit owned by Bemis Appliance on South First Street. Damage there was around $80,000.